Higher Education Development and Study Abroad Experiences of Faculty in Malaysia

There are five distinct eras in the development of the Malaysian higher education system. Each era has been marked by legislation and strategic policy intentions that have enabled strong state interventions in the development of the system. Policy implementation inevitably requires adequate resources, talent, and effective governance. The primary task of the Malaysian higher education system and institutions has shifted from planning the development of human resources to planning for and producing human capital. There has also been a marked shift from an elitist form of higher education to one typically described as a mass system. Until the late 1990s, the development of human capital and talent was achieved through various study-abroad programs, particularly for pre- and in-service university academics, those requiring sub-speciality training, and post-doctoral programs. The Malaysian higher education system has also been continuously exposed to the forces of globalization and the internationalization of higher education. Malaysia’s commitment to improving its global university rankings has meant that study-abroad destinations need to be country- and institution-specific. Generally, time spent abroad has benefited Malaysians when they are back in Malaysia serving universities. However, challenging economic circumstances may require a reconsideration of the approaches used to achieve international exposure for academic staff.